ν(NEU) (by noi, proof-reading by Austen)
ν(NEU) - this are JUN (*December 2nd, vocals),
Nono (*October 22nd, guitar),
Hixro (*December 3rd, bass) and,
Яei (*September 28th, drums).
As a young Indie band, ν(NEU) has only been around for the better part of a year. However, these rockers already have a sizeable following outside of their home country of Japan and boast many fan pages and forums. ν(NEU) is a colorful, cheerful band, as expected of the Oshare kei genre. Produced by LoopAsh, the independent record label of Michiru, the group performs under the very same label that the “nyappy” An cafe belonged to during their time as an indie band.
ν(NEU) started out their career as an opening band under the name of JOKER. On May 30th, the successful Indie band gave their Last Live in Kagurazaka Dimension. The group had its share of member changes and bumps in the road, and eventually the act was left to the fate of many other Indie bands. JOKER disbanded, and its members went their separate ways.
While some of the former JOKER members left the music scene, the rest decided to try their hand at forming new bands. Former singer Byo (previously called ‘Toge’) and bassist Yuuto formed the group SCREW and are still playing today. However, three other members, Nono, Hiiro and Yuki returned to the music world on July 7th, 2005 with the name HeaRt. Because as members of JOKER they were already signed with LoopAsh, the new band was produced under the same label. With their line-up completed - following the addition of JUN on vocals and Subaru as second guitaris - HeaRt rocked their way onto the music scene.
However, not more than a year would pass before Subaru left the group. His eclectic musical tastes clashed with those of the other members and resulted in him resigning from the group. Not wanting to replace HeaRt went on with only one guitarist.
Towards the end of the year HeaRt suffered their second loss when drummer Yuki left the band as well. He announced his decision during the Zepp Tokyo concertes in December of 2006. So HeaRt stood with an incomplete line-up at start of the New Year. Without their drummer, the three remaining artists gave up HeaRt. But this was in no case the end for the band. The group stayed strong, and decided to stayed together.
With the arrival of Яei (ex. Lilac Berry) on drums, a new era started, and the new band needed a new name. They arrived at the decision to use the German word ‘neu’, meaning new or fresh. The group settled on the name ν(NEU). (In regards to the ‘V’ in their name, the band explained that it is not the letter V, but rather it's the 13th letter of the Greek alphabet. Also, in physics the character is used as symbol of the frequency.) During this period Hiiro also chose a new typeface for his name and began calling himself Hixro- it remains his stage name to this day.
ν(NEU) is produced by LoopAsh Entertainment and under this label released their first single "HONEY Bee ✬" on July 18th, 2007. A second single followed on August 29th. With many performances and concerts, ν(NEU) took an ever-growing fanbase in Japan by storm and expanded their overseas following, courtesy of the internet.
ν(NEU)’s first full E.P. "NEvERLAND" hit stores November 7th, 2007. Included is a DVD with the clips of "HONEY Bee ✬" and "CHERRY".
The first and second maxi singles are released on March 19th and April 2nd.
Any fans of Oshare kei and those who enjoy the tunes of bands like An cafe or SuG should keep an eye out for ν(NEU). We wish them luck on the beginning of a successful career.
DISCOGRAPHY
Ancestor-band HeaRt2005:
November 3rd "Sarekoto"
2006:
March 1st "Kosai Carol Amp"
April 1st "Planetarium"
Oktober 25th "Sophia to Mushikui Kippu"
November 29th "Monster and Mukin Yokuso"
ν(NEU)
2007:
JulY 18th "HONEY Bee ✬" (first single)
August 29th "Splash!" (single)
November 7th "NEνERLAND" (album)
2008:
March 19th "Kouban" (maxi single)
April 2nd "Otsu Ban" (maxi single)
LINKS